Lanterns swayed gently overhead, spilling a warm amber glow across the streets of Lumeris. The city breathed around them in an easy harmony of laughter, bargaining, and distant hymns.
Yet between them, there was only silence. It wasn't the comfortable kind that settles between two people at ease, but a careful, measured distance.
Null walked beside her, his posture relaxed and his expression calm. It was a complete lie. Inwardly, he was in absolute chaos.
'What do I do?'
His gaze flickered ahead, then briefly toward her, before snapping away. 'This is bad. I asked her out, and I have absolutely no plan.' He let out a faint mental groan. 'I should have listened to Fantasy Omniscience-san. I could have just mapped out this entire city, but no—let's keep it natural—This isn't natural.
This is a slow, dignified descent into romantic disaster.'
He tried to rationalize it. 'Then again, it's my first date too. You can't expect perfection.' Still, his shoulders dropped slightly. 'But I invited her. I should have been prepared.'
Beside him, Sora walked with her usual steady grace. She looked entirely composed, elegant, and serene. But on the inside, she was spiraling just as fast.
'Why is it so quiet?'
Her fingers lightly clutched the edge of her dress. 'Should I say something? What do I even say? 'Thank you for asking me out'? No, that sounds ridiculous.' Her ears warmed at the thought, and her eyes flickered toward him for a fraction of a second before darting forward again.
'What do couples even do on a date? Talk? Laugh?'
Her pulse refused to calm down, painfully aware of his proximity. 'I know this city better than anyone. I should be guiding him. Why am I waiting for him to lead?'
'Because...' Her cheeks warmed faintly. '...he asked me out. So it's natural for him to take charge... right? I have no idea how this works.'
They kept walking, close enough to brush their shoulders.
'Say something, Null.'
'Sora, say something.'
"Nice weather, isn't it. Sora-san" Null started.
'Idiot.' Mumbled sora inwardly
"Moreover, aren't the lanterns pretty."
'That's obvious, you idiot.' null groaned inwardly.
A couple passed them, laughing with their hands intertwined, looking effortless and natural. Sora's gaze lingered on them for a second before she quickly looked away.
Null noticed, but pretended not to. The silence stretched, turning heavier and more unbearable with each passing step.
'This is painful,' Null admitted to himself. 'I'd rather fight that monstrous lion again than deal with this... Okay, maybe not, but still.'
Sora inhaled slowly, her mind entirely unraveled. 'Is this a date? Why is it difficult.'
In the exact same moment, both of them reached the same conclusion: they couldn't keep this up.
Null cleared his throat lightly. "Ahem."
Sora turned her head immediately, her eyes locking onto him. "Yes?"
He scratched his cheek, his eyes scanning the surroundings at blinding speed. Stalls, shops, lights, people—anything would do.
He pointed toward a row of vendors. "Let's check out those stalls over there."
Sora blinked, a subtle but deeply real wave of relief washing over her feature mask. She nodded quickly. "okay."
They moved toward a cluster of lively stalls, where snacks, accessories, and jewelry shimmered under enchanted lights. The bustling crowd eased the lingering tension, giving them both a chance to breathe.
They stopped at a refreshment stand where glass containers floated mid-air, filled with glowing liquids that shifted like captured sunsets.
"These look interesting," Null said.
Sora nodded. "They're mana-infused refreshments."
"Figures," he muttered. "Two of those, please."
The vendor smiled and prepared the order, handing over two hypnotic, glowing beverages. "That'll be 13 Spera."
(Spera is the official currency in Elpis and its cluster.)
Null froze. A slow, devastating realization dawned on him. Money.
His expression remained perfectly calm, but inwardly, he was imploding. 'I have little to none. I've been in this world for fifteen days with zero income, zero savings, and zero backup. Ugh, i messed up.'
The vendor blinked at his sudden stillness. "Sir?"
Null offered a strained smile. "One moment."
Before the awkwardness could deepen, a slender, elegant hand appeared beside him. Sora slipped a pristine white card onto the counter.
The vendor's eyes widened, his posture instantly straightening with deep respect. "Ah, a cleric of the revered Sanctum. No wonder you carry such grace, young miss. Of course, the nine-percent discount applies."
The transaction was seamless. Null stood entirely still, processing his sudden financial defeat.
Moments later, they sat on a nearby bench, the soft light of their glowing drinks reflecting on their faces. Null took a sip and looked away, deliberately avoiding her gaze.
Sora noticed. A soft, melodious laugh broke the quiet.
"Null-san," she said, her voice warm and teasing. "Don't look so down. It's completely understandable. Cheer up and leave paying to me."
Null exhaled slowly and shook his head. "No, it's not just the money. I've been so nervous since asking you out last night that I completely forgot to prepare properly. Even though I'm the one who suggested this... Sora, I sincerely apologize."
Sora blinked, then immediately shook her head. "No, Null-san. If that's the case, then I should apologize too. I was just as nervous at the thought of going on a date with you. I didn't consider your situation and blindly let you take the lead, even though I'm the one most familiar with Lumeris."
She tightened her grip on her cup and looked at him with clear resolution. "So, no more of that. Leave everything to me tonight, and just focus on enjoying yourself. We'll figure things out together."
Null looked at her, something shifting in his chest as his expression softened. A genuine smile touched his lips. "Thanks. But I still don't love the feeling of relying on you like this. It feels a bit shameful. I'm supposed to be the guy here."
A small, knowing smile curved Sora's lips. "Then next time..."
Null looked back at her, a hint of determination in his dark white eyes. "If there is a next time, I'm making it up to you."
Sora's smile turned soft and genuine. "Alright."
As the glow of their drinks gradually faded, they finished the last sips. Sora rose first, the fabric of her white dress settling around her like falling light.
She stood facing him, poised and unhurried. Then, she extended her hand. With her other, she instinctively tucked a loose strand of white hair behind her ear—a small, simple gesture that made her look disarmingly vulnerable.
"Come," she said gently. This time, there wasn't a trace of hesitation in her voice.
Null blinked, looking from her hand back to her face. A small, meaningful pause passed before something warm shifted in his chest once more.
Moving slowly to preserve the fragile moment, he reached out and let his hand meet hers. The contact was gentle and warm. Neither moved for a heartbeat, letting the weight of the connection settle over them.
Sora felt the sudden heat; her fingers tensed for a fraction of a second before melting into the touch.
"Lead the way," he said quietly.
Sora nodded, a new glow of confidence anchoring her expression. She stepped forward, and this time he followed—no longer just walking beside her, but truly with her.
Lantern light danced across their skin as their fingers remained lightly intertwined, dissolving the careful distance they had maintained all evening.
As they stepped back into the living pulse of Lumeris, the awkwardness and uncertainty hadn't completely vanished.
And just like that, the date truly began.